"action of converting (something) into a commercial product or activity," 1968, from commodity + -fication "a making or causing." Originally in Marxist political theory, "the assignment of a market value," often to some quality or thing that the user of the word feels would be better off without it.

1965, from commodity + -ization. The businessman's word; the Marxist's is commodification (q.v.).

"to convert into a (mere) commercial product or activity," 1971, back-formation from commodification. Related: Commodified; commodifying.